Laundry Lessons: My Routine Today

With baby #2 on the way, knowing we were going to use cloth diapers, I couldn't handle three or more extra loads each week.  I would go insane...

After bargain hunting for a few months, we got a great deal on a new HE washer/dryer set.      It's HUGE!  I'm down to about 6 loads a week (including diapers!) when I used to 12 or more.

Sorting:

I only gather dirty clothes once or twice a week.  Because the washer is bigger, I can wash a lot more at a time and we need to go longer between washes.  If I see the hamper overflowing, I'll empty it.  Clothes still get sorted into three compartments:  darks, lights, and whites.  I keep cloth diapers in a small basket on the dryer and I keep socks in another basket beside the dryer.

Washing:

I try to wash load every day.  When there aren't enough dirty clothes to wash a load (said no one, ever), I was rugs or sheets. My washer has this awesome feature that warms the water, even on a cold cycle, to dissolve powdered detergent.  I got so used to skipping fabric softener and bleach with the old machine that I still don't use either.  Someday I'm going to try to make my own fabric softener.

Drying:

I use my clothesline only in the summer.  I haven't exploded any pens in my new dryer, yet, so I use it when it's too cold (or I'm too lazy) to hang the clothes outside.  I do love drying the cloth diapers in the sun.

Folding:

This is where I fail.  The dryer is on the floor, so I put a basket in front of it, open the door, and pull all of the clothes out into the basket.  Then they need folded, but I have other things to do, so I walk away.  I have to force myself to stand there and fold the clothes before I move onto something else.

Putting Away:

The loads are larger with this new set.  Which means, the baskets are fuller and heavier.  I fold the clothes, but I let the basket sit for my manly man husband to carry up the stairs for me to put away.

What tips and tricks have helped you find a laundry routine that works for your family?